Do it Best turns on the Connected Home

Indianapolis — However you want to describe it — “smart home,” “connected home” or “home automation,” — products that deliver more control or remote control of everyday home features and appliances is a growing business. According to merchants at Do it Best, Connected Home represents a $61 billion industry.

For the first time, the co-op’s Fall Market set off some space for a display of connected home vignettes. A living room, a kitchen an outdoor patio and a garage were recreated with working voice activated lights and other controls. The purpose: to show how easy it is to make a home “connected” and show the convenience of the finished product.

Among the specific products on display were:

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  The Leviton Decora Smart Rocker Dimmer Switch. This offers total control of home lighting from the My Leviton app.


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  The Honeywell Lyric Wi-Fi Programmable Thermostat. Among other things, the device sends messages to homeowners about filter changes and warns of extreme indoor temps.


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  The Ring Video Doorbell. Allows homeowners with a phone or tablet or pc to see, hear and talk to visitors at the front door.


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  Philips Hue A19 Medium Dimmable LED Light Bulb Starter Kit. Requires no rewiring or installation.

One of the ways to maximize the category in a retail setting is to establish a Connected Home champion, “an expert in the category to talk about the features and benefits of each SKU,” the co-op said in its promotional materials.